Wayne Starling, 36, and Cheryl Hickman, 32, who own the Olde Bull Inn have seen their efforts in restoring the pub to its former glories rewarded by picking up the Newcomer of the Year award for the East of England.

Now the couple from Cambridgeshire will head down to London's Hilton Hotel on September 18 where they will be up against four other regional winners as they do battle for the national prize.

Sonia Hickman, 31, co-manager of the pub, said: " We couldn't believe it when we found out that we had won. We are just amazed to win the regional title. If we win the national we will be gob smacked."

Judges awarded the Suffolk pub the title after assessing a number of criteria including customer service, menu offerings and turnover as well as casting an eye over the extensive refurbishment programme carried out in the pub over the past year.

This Saturday the team at the Olde Bull will be staging the second of the pub's popular music festivals.

Headlining the event, which last year raised more than a £1,000 for charity, will be the Swamp Donkeys, Taildragger Blues Band and Error 404.

All money raised will be split between the East Anglian Air Ambulance and the Nicky's Way programme being run by St Nicholas' Hospice.

Entry to the event, which begins at 1.30pm, is free.